The Blazers took a shot in the mouth and didn't flinch. Brandon Silver's first-play, 41-yard pass to Chandler Worthy could have been enough to make the UAB defense think, "Here we go again." It didn't do that. It helped having an offense that immediately answered the Trojan score with one of their own but the defense had to stand on its own, and did. The defense took a deep breath and put the Trojans in a deep hole, repeatedly stalling their drives and handing the game over to their own formidable offense that outrushed Troy 343 yards to 111.

KEY MOMENTIt might not seem like much but Hunter Mullins punted the ball for the first time. No big deal, except that punt came with 1:42 to go in the second quarter. Mullins would only punt twice in the game, a sign of UAB's dominant ball-control offense.

WHAT FANS ARE SAYINGDon't wake me. Some had to think they were dreaming to have a Blazer team that could build a big lead and not have that lead dissolve to nothing. That happened more than once in 2013.

CALL OF THE DAY It wasn't a single play but a philosophy. Simply put, UAB would run the ball. The Blazers would sprinkle in some passes here and there, especially in the red zone to Kennard Backman. But UAB was more than content to dole out huge chunks of Jordan Howard and D.J. Vinson, complemented by Clements.

STARS OF THE DAY Jordan Howard, UABHe ran for 179 yards on two touchdowns on 19 carriesJake Ganus, UABThe linebacker from Chelsea had a game-high with six tackles - matching Troy's Montres Kitchens - and forced a fumble.D.J. Vinson, UAB Was the second punch to Howard, running for 106 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries.

WHERE DID HE COME FROM? UAB strong safety Bobby Baker played his first game with the Blazers since coming in from California's Pierce College. Troy tried to test him a couple of times on deep passes but he was up to the challenge each time.